Who Is Running For Public Service Commissioner In Louisiana

Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell, D-Elm Grove

Ouachita Parish Police Juror Shane Smiley, R-Monroe, is running for a seat on the Louisiana Public Service Commission.

Monroe Republican Shane Smiley is challenging Democratic Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell for a seat that represents all of northern Louisiana.

The five-member Public Service Commission regulates monopoly utilities, for instance, setting the rates people pay for electricity.

Both Campbell, of Elm Grove, and Smiley, a fellow member of the Ouachita Parish Police Jury, qualified this calendar week to represent the vast 5th Commune, which includes all or parts of 24 parishes. Qualifying for the November. 3 ballot continues through Friday.

Shreveport and Monroe are the population centers of the commune, which covers about one-tertiary of the geographic area of the land.

Campbell is seeking a fourth 6-twelvemonth term on the commission. Before his election to the PSC, he served as a land senator from 1976 to 2002.

"Before you lot tell someone what you're going to do, y'all need to be able to tell them what you lot've done," said Campbell, a cattle farmer and minor business possessor in Bossier Parish. "I've got a record 2nd to none as a consumer advocate.

"That's what this job is all nearly — making companies that are monopolies do what they don't want to do, whether information technology's providing affordable rates or putting a moratorium on cutoffs during emergencies like this COVID pandemic," Campbell said. "I speak up for the people."

Just Smiley said it'south time for new ideas and a new face up on the commission.

"Foster Campbell has been in part for 45 years; I think 45 years is long plenty," said Smiley, a nurse anesthetist and minor business owner. "It's time to send him home.

"I'k a lifelong Republican with conservative values that I believe resonate across northern Louisiana and ameliorate reflect the constituency of the district," Smiley said. "I'm going to bring a newer, fresh approach to the commission. I beloved being on the jury, only I desire to take my experience and utilize it to the PSC."

► Louisiana Public Service Committee District 1 (suburban New Orleans area): Incumbent Commissioner Eric Skrmetta, R-Metairie, is beingness challenged by William Boartfield Jr., Light-green Party-Harvey, Richard "Richie" Sanderson II, R-New Orleans, and erstwhile Commissioner John F. Schwegmann, no party amalgamation, Metairie.

Greg Hilburn covers country politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.